page_title: Amann & Söhne
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: Amann & Söhne / Background
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: AMANN Werk, Yancheng, China
context_page_description: The Amann & Söhne GmbH & Co KG is a worldwide operating manufacturer of industrial sewing threads and embroidery yarns, headquartered in Bönnigheim, Germany. In Germany, AMANN is the market leader in the industrial sector. Internationally, AMANN is among the world's three largest producers. In 2019, the company had a turnover of approximately 200 million euros and employed 2,500 people.
context_section_description: The company was founded in 1854 by Alois Amann and Imanuel Böhringer as Amann & Böhringer for the purpose of manufacturing twined and colored silk. 
  At this stage, industrialisation had not yet reached Bönnigheim. In the beginning, the products were dyed in Rau in Berg and then returned to Bönnigheim, where they were revised and reeled on a winch by 12 employees. The force was generated by two wheel movers, who wearily turned the flywheel. The power of these men became insufficient when the company acquired new machines. Hence, they got replaced by two donkeys (later two oxen), who propelled the whim. In 1856, the company acquired new twisting machines, as well as further machines. The new machines could be propelled by a 4 HP steam engine so that the oxen got replaced.
  The prosperous company developed fast and turned into a factory. This encouraged the founders to invest in a steam engine with a steam boiler and further modern machines. In 1858, Amann & Böhringer already counted 100 employees. By implementing an own dye-house, Alois Amann became a pioneer in processing silk threads in Germany. 
  In a Württemberg industrial biography that was released in Leipzig in 1879, the company was described as the most important and most powerful silk processing company in Germany.
  In 1880, the major competitive Augsburg-based factory Payr & Mayer was acquired with its subsidiary in Mössingen and the whole management got relocated to the headquarters in Bönnigheim.
  In 1882, Imanuel Böhringer left the company. Alois Amann converted it into a family business and hired his sons Emil and Alfred as associates. Accordingly, the company was renamed into Amann & Söhne.
  Emil Amann conducted experiments with the production of synthetic fibres, however he came to the conclusion that there was nothing equivalent that could replace natural silk, yet. In the 1880s, the company expanded to Northern Italy and opened two factories in Seriate and Telgate. Emil Amann travelled to the furthest European countries in order to increase the turnover of the factories, whereas his father and brother focused on managing the company. During the following years, Alfred Amann did an apprenticeship as a dyer in Lyon, London and Krefeld. He returned to Bönnigheim in 1888 and took over the technical director's position.
  In 1892, Alois Amann died at the age of 68. Henceforth, his sons Emil and Alfred started to lead the company on their own.
  In 1902, the old factory building in Bönnigheim was pulled down and gave space for the construction of a new factory building. Today, the building from 1902 is under monumental protection and is still used as the headquarters of AMANN Group. 
  Since silk, the original product, was gradually being replaced by more modern raw materials, Amann & Söhne started to manufacture schappe silk in 1919, and mercerised cotton in 1923. 
  Alfred Amann died in 1942. Alfred Pielenz, his son-in-law, was nominated to become his successor. He guided the company through the last years of war, during which the production stagnated, as well as through the postwar years, during which the production was slowly being reconstructed.
  In 1955, the Bönnigheim-based company pioneered with the production of endless synthetic sewing threads.
  In 1993/1994, AMANN acquired Ackermann-Göggingen AG, a traditional Augsburg-based company along with its dye-house. Moreover, in 1996 a fully automatic industrial central warehouse was inaugurated in Erligheim. 
  In 2002, AMANN extended its product portfolio and launched a novel specialty program for technical textiles.
  Hanns A. Pielenz, Alfred Pielenz' son, retired in 2004 after 36 years of being the executive manager. Bodo Th. Bölzle was nominated to become his successor.
  In 2006, the company opened a new production plant in Brasov, Romania.
  In 2008, Oxley Thread Ltd., one of the most famous European sewing thread manufactures was acquired by AMANN.
  In 2009, AMANN established a new production plant in Yancheng, China. Furthermore, the company launched a new label including products made of recycled polyester and organic cot
caption: AMANN production site in Yancheng, China
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